Riding on buffalo horns

Riding on buffalo horns

New ICT minister vows to help pilot IT and telecom industries through stormy skies.

Modern jet pilots refer often to the importance of good switchology _ the ability to manipulate the hundreds of dials, switches and buttons in the cockpit, not just to manipulate the plane now, but in anticipation of events in the future.

It's a skill set that Grp Capt Anudith Nakornthap will need in spades as he seeks to set a new flight plan for the country's telecommunications sector after years of cloudy skies.
"It's a difficult position. I feel like I'm riding on buffalo horns. Lean left or right, you will get stabbed. It's a difficult balance," said the former F-16 pilot and newly appointed minister of information and communications technology.
"The biggest challenge is how to enshrine the use of information technology within our country's foundations."
IT development in Thailand has been hamstrung for years because of political infighting, outdated laws and recalcitrant state enterprises worried about defending their rapidly shrinking turf.
The country ranks among a handful worldwide that have yet to move forward with third-generation wireless networks, as private operators, regulators, state enterprises and policymakers debate how to reconcile static concession contracts with rapidly evolving technologies and customer needs.
"We have information scattered across many different sources, with little coordination or development," Grp Capt Anudith said, pointing to the difficulty of linking databases between, say, the Interior Ministry and the tax authorities.
And Thai consumers pay dearly for the lack of clear industrial direction and competition.
"Thais spend on average 6.3% of their income on IT and telecommunications expenses. In contrast, consumers in developed countries spend just 1%," he said.
"I hope to promote the accessibility of the internet for Thai people, aiming for 80% of Thai households to have ICT services by 2015."
Grp Capt Anudith, 46, admitted that having a prime minister with an IT and telecom management background from the country's largest telecom conglomerate _ Intouch, formerly Shin Corporation, and Advanced Info Service (AIS) _ could have pros and cons.
The good news is that the prime minister would understand the industry more easily and deeply, which could shorten the decision-making process. It would also encourage the ministry to promote new ICT policies and push projects forward more efficiently.
The bad news is that Yingluck Shinawatra, the youngest sister of Shin founder and former prime minister Thaksin, would be in an uneasy position in dealing with existing disputes between mobile operators, including mobile leader AIS.
But the Pheu Thai MP reiterates that he has no policy for supporting any setting up of new standards during the transition period of expiring concession contracts, which could lead to further ambiguity in the industry and unfair competition in long run.
"I believe the existing old-fashioned concession system should be ended after all concessions expire, and replaced with a new licensing regime," he said. "I'm pinning hope on the 3G licence auction of the international 2100 megahertz frequency as the future of the industry."
Grp Capt Anudith, a Bangkok MP for Sai Mai, has the full backing of Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan _ a former key member of Thai Rak Thai who retains a strong influence in Pheu Thai though she is currently banned from politics.
He said his high-priority tasks would be launching new satellites at 120 degrees east and 50.5 degrees east, which are due to expire in 2012, and pushing forward the nationwide 3G expansion project of TOT Plc.
Promoting a level playing field would be another area of focus to encourage a free and fair competitive environment in compliance with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission Law of 2010.
Citing contracts signed between CAT Telecom and True Corporation, Capt Anudith noted that even though the Office of the Attorney General had decided that the contracts did not violate the 1992 Public-Private Joint Venture Act, they needed investigation by the Office of the National Anti-corruption Commission.
"I have no intention of trying to beat anyone or show favour to anybody," he said.
The telecom industry has always fascinated him because technology is his favourite field. "Being a jet pilot is my life's first dream. Becoming a politician is my second dream and now it's come true," he said with a smile.